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Tourist and Visitor Accommodation

Ku-ring-gai Council recognises the important role of short term leases in providing accommodation for tourists and visitors within the Ku-ring-gai area, however, these uses have been limited to specific zones to limit the impact on Ku-ring-gai's residential areas due to the nature of transient populations.

To find where and what type of Tourist and Visitor Accommodation is permitted, check the zoning of your property on the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan (KLEP) zoning maps, via the Web Map - Online mapping tool.

Then check what is permitted and prohibited in that zone in the KLEP Written Instrument at the following links:

Uses which will not have a high immediate or cumulative impact on a neighbourhood may be considered as exempt or complying development under the Codes SEPP 2008.

Only Bed and Breakfast Accommodation is considered complying development under the Codes SEPP 2008, provided it meets the stated requirements of that Code. A Complying Development Certificate from Council is required to confirm the development is permitted under the Codes SEPP 2008.

"An existing dwelling in which temporary or short-term accommodation is provided on a commercial basis by the permanent residents of the dwelling and where:

meals are provided for guests only, and

cooking facilities for the preparation of meals are not provided within guests' rooms, and

dormitory-style accommodation is not provided."

Development Application

Any development that is not exempt or complying under the Codes SEPP 2008 requires a Development Application and Council's consent to operate within Ku-ring-gai.

Within Ku-ring-gai, Tourist and Visitor Accommodation is covered by a number of different accommodations types. These are as follows:

The KLEPs define Tourist and Visitor Accommodation as:

"A building or place that proved temporary or short-term accommodation on a commercial basis and includes any of the following:

backpackers' accommodation;

bed and breakfast accommodation;

farm stay accommodation;

hotel or motel accommodation;

serviced apartments.

This may be permissible through a Development Application which receives Council's consent in the following zone:

B2 Local Centres

Only certain types of Tourist and Visitor Accommodation are permitted in each of Council's zoned areas as described below.

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

The KLEPs define this as:

"An existing dwelling in which temporary or short-term accommodation is provided on a commercial basis by the permanent residents of the dwelling and where:

meals are provided for guests only; and

cooking facilities for the preparation of meals are not provided within guests' rooms; and

dormitory-style accommodation is not provided."

This may be permissible development with development consent in the following zones:

R2 Low Density Residential

R3 Medium Density Residential

R4 High Density Residential

R4 Large Lot Residential

B1 Neighbourhood Centre

E3 Environmental Manage

E4 Environmental Living

KLEPs Clause 5.4(1) 'Bed and breakfast accommodation' states:

"If development for the purposes of bed and breakfast accommodation is permitted under this Plan, the accommodation that is provided to guests must consist of no more than 3 bedrooms."

Consent for Bed and Breakfast Accommodation may be provided via the Codes SEPP 2008 as Complying Development where certain requirements are met (See 'A' above); or through the KLEPs where Complying Development does not apply.

Hotel or Motel Accommodation

The KLEPs define this as:

"A building or place (whether or not licensed premises under the Liquor Act 2007)that provides temporary or short-term accommodation on a commercial basis and that:

comprises rooms or self-contained suites; and

may provide meals to guests or the general public and facilities for the parking of guests' vehicles, but does not include backpackers' accommodation, a boarding house, bed and breakfast accommodation or farm stay accommodation."

This may be permissible development with Council's development consent in the following zones:

B4 Mixed Use

B5 Business Development

B7 Business Park

Serviced Apartments

The KLEPs define this as:

"A building (or part of a building) providing self-contained accommodation to tourists or visitors on a commercial basis and that is regularly serviced or cleaned by the owner or manager of the building or part of the building or the owner's or manager's agents."

This may be permissible development with Council's development consent in the following zones:

B2 Local Centres (under Tourist and Visitor Accommodation)

Short Term Holiday Letting Options Paper

The Department of Planning and Environment is inviting comment on the Options Paper. Details may be viewed at the below link: